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Another pastel exploration from Mexico – “Two Parts of One”

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I think it’s time to share another pastel exploration with you. Some of the pastels created while I was in Mexico earlier this year are still in process but this one I believe is finished.

In an earlier blog where I share “Emergent” (my first pastel exploration) with you, I described how it evolved from a very simple line drawing. This piece also comes forth from the same inspiration.

So without further ado, here’s the progression of this pastel.

 

1. The original thumbnail inspiration
1. The original thumbnail inspiration – only about 1.5 x 1.5 in

 

2. The start of the charcoal drawing on Wallis paper
2. The start of the charcoal drawing on Wallis paper. Although I moved the figure over to the far left (rather than leave it in the centre), I still felt the piece required further variation. I decided to see what another figure would look like. You can see the head being drawn in here.

 

3. A second figure indicated
3. A second figure included. You can see that it’s barely indicated. There is a suggestion of arms on the second figure. I ‘m just not sure what I’m doing yet.

 

4. Finally I start to apply pastel
4. Finally I start to apply pastel. I started with yellow on the front figure then determined that the second figure and background would be similar in colour to each other but slightly different in value (darkness).

 

5. More pastel added
5. More pastel added. Not really knowing how the figures relate to each other, I now indicate them facing each other. I have the idea that the second figure represents something about the first figure.

 

6. And yet more pastel layered on
6. And yet more pastel layered on. I felt the edges of the figures were too hard so a dragged the ochre colour across the paper to break up the line. I also took a hard, thin pastel and drew random lines across the whole image. (Sorry the photo is out of focus.) I really couldn’t ‘see’ where this piece was going; I had to trust that it would take me somewhere.

 

7. A new direction in this pastel exploration!
7. A new direction in this pastel exploration. Without warning, I picked up a piece of charcoal and rapidly added lines. What emerged were a male and female figure (I think that’s pretty obvious). This was an unexpected change of direction. One minute two ambiguous figures, the next, two gender-defined forms. Clothing has been replaced by flesh.

 

8. "Two Parts of One," pastel on paper, 12 x 9 in
8. “Two Parts of One,” pastel on paper, 12 x 9 in. I deliberately left the charcoal as part of the final pastel, believing it to be an integral part of what the work has to say. What does the piece mean to you?

 

I’m curious and also a bit anxious to hear what you think. If you’d like to comment, just click the Add Comment (or if someone has already commented, that phrase will change to something like 1 Comment). This will take you to the blog on my website where you can scroll down and find the comment box.

 

This pastel exploration is another in a continuing effort to take risks in my work.

You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.

~ Paulo Coelho

 

Thanks for checking out my blog. Please feel free to share it!

 

Until next time,

~ Gail

 

PS. If you are on Facebook, please ‘Like’ my Facebook page.

 

PPS. If you are interested in knowing more about Paulo Coehlo, here’s the link to his blog.

This is his most well-known book:

 

 

 

Just a wee note, if you live in Canada and you buy this book through my link to Amazon, I get a teensy weensy commission 🙂

 

6 thoughts on “Another pastel exploration from Mexico – “Two Parts of One””

  1. Karin Goeppert

    I like this pastel very much. What I really like especially is that you just took the charcoal and drew over the figures and left it there. When I saw the last, well, finished image I thought: Adoration. This is what it means to me. Her face bent towards his, he carrying his head proudly. He: static, she: with movement. Will she dance around him?

    Reply
    1. Gail Sibley

      Karin, thanks so much for responding to this piece both in liking it (especially the left charcoal ) and finding meaning in it. I love the word you have come up with – adoration – and your observation of what you read in the pastel. And yes I think she will dance around him 🙂

      Reply
  2. Shirlee Lewis

    this pastel speaks. it says to me: ‘here we are in all our human-ness. our courage and fears, our strengths and frailties. we are doing the best we can and are proud of our efforts’
    I really like this new work path you are trying. keep going Gail

    Reply
    1. Gail Sibley

      Thanks so much Shirlee. I knew I could count on you to find some meaning in this piece and I love what you had to say!

      Reply
  3. Andrea

    I LOVE the colours! What I think about changes each time I look at it. Are they dancing… he seems rigid, in control… she yielding. Lovely! Keep going!

    Reply
    1. Gail Sibley

      Thanks Andrea. It’s a bit of an unusual colour combination for me. I like that things keep changing for you – I always think I’ve succeeded if that happens. Great interpretations :-)https://www.gailsibley.com/wp-admin/edit-comments.php#comments-form

      Reply

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